Culture Ticino Network Association, active in Switzerland and the Philippines, had the privilege of being an Official Partner of the Third World March for Peace and Nonviolence, which started on October 2, 2024 and ended on January 5, 2025 in Costa Rica, crossing 93 countries, cultures and communities to spread a universal message of nonviolence and social justice. Along its route, the March involved citizens, associations, institutions and schools, becoming a concrete and participatory movement of dialogue and commitment for a more peaceful world, see also theworldmarch.org.

The collaboration with the Third World March for Peace and Nonviolence began in 2022 and was consolidated in November 2023, when the idea of bringing this important event to both Ticino and the Philippines was born. This project was possible thanks to the synergy between Tiziana Volta (Delegate of the Third World March and World without Wars and Without Violence) and Anna Margherita Maffeis-Natale (President of the Culture Ticino Network Association and Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Ticino).

FROM SWITZERLAND TO THE PHILIPPINES: THE THIRD WORLD MARCH FOR PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE, WHERE IDEAS BECAME REALITY

Our association Culture Ticino Network here in Ticino and in the Philippines played an instrumental role in organizing the passage of the Third World March and Nonviolence in the Philippines after a good 15 years, which was held in the Philippines in 2009 at the time of the first World March.

To bring this initiative to life, several meetings have been organized on Zoom since early 2024, during which our president and Ms. Volta coordinated the work, initiating initial contacts with PIA in Manila (Philippine Italian Association in Manila and represented by Giunell Flores) and later with Illac Diaz (founder of the Liter of Light foundation). During these meetings, Anna Margherita Maffeis-Natale also had the opportunity to make contact with several representatives from various nations, as well as with Rafael de Rubia founder of World Without Wars and Without Violence.

The 3MM took place from October 20-24, 2024, passing through three major Philippine localities: Malolos, Baguio City, and Sagada. Each stop was a unique opportunity to promote the message of peace and nonviolence, involving students, local authorities and citizens. With the involvement of various local and international entities, the event gave a strong signal of global commitment to building a more peaceful world.

3MM’S JOURNEY IN THE PHILIPPINES

On Sunday, October 20, 2024, the first event was held in Malolos, Bulacan Province, in the historic barangay. The event was organized by our Associations and became a symbol of hope and solidarity for a nation that, despite historical and social difficulties, looks to the future with renewed optimism.

After the official moment by the Barangay Leaders and Wilfredo Alsen (3MM Delegation) and Karina Lagdamen Santillan (editor-writer for Pressenza-Asia), one of the most touching moments of the day was the moving performance by the needy children of the Barangay 1st Look, who sang together the famous song “We Are the World”, an anthem to solidarity and global unity for peace.

The joy and hope in the eyes of the children were the beating heart of this event; which also saw the distribution of more than 120 food parcels to them, thanks to the support of our Association Culture Ticino Network and the collaboration with the Barangay manager bringing them some serenity at a time of great difficulty.

On October 21, 2024, the Third World March team continued its journey, visiting significant places such as Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” and Sagada, in the heart of the Cordillera Mountains. In Baguio, in particular, a poster contest was held on the theme “Ka-Peace-tahan: Cultivating a Culture of Peace”, which involved hundreds of young people in creative activities to reflect on the values of nonviolence. In Sagada, a peace march was held on Oct. 22, 2024, an event attended by students, citizens, military personnel and police forces, symbolizing unity among all sectors of society. The last leg of the journey, on Oct. 23, 2024 in Malolos, included the installation of a symbol of peace: a solar light installation, created in collaboration with the Liter of Light Foundation, to represent hope for a better future. Unfortunately, due to a typhoon that hit the area, the installation was not realized as originally planned.

Looking to the future: Our efforts do not stop here, and our Associations will continue to work together for a better and more peaceful future. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all those who contributed to the realization of these events in the Philippines, and especially to our representative Jennefer Espinosa in the Philippines.  

THE PASSAGE OF 3MM IN TICINO, SWITZERLAND: ON THE OCCASION OF THE 12^th EDITION OF THE WORLD FORUM FOR PEACE OF OUR ASSOCIATION CULTURE TICINO NETWORK.

The 12^th World Forum for Peace, with the central theme of “Peace and the Rights of Future Generations,” was successfully held from November 5 to 28, 2024 at various locations in the Luganese.

PEACE VILLAGE

On November 5, 2024, the inauguration of the 12th edition was held in the presence of Ms. Tiziana Volta, Delegate of 3MM, at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano with the significant event “Peace Village,” an educational day that involved as many as 400 students from elementary, middle and high schools with 12 stations. Thanks to the valuable collaboration of the City of Lugano, associations, foundations and professionals, workshops dedicated to the culture of peace, children’s rights and building a peaceful society were offered throughout the da.